LL District Umpires

[mjr_2013]

I went to a LL Districts game to just watch good baseball today, and yikes... The umpires there weren't looking too great... They showed up 10 minutes past game time (at 11:10 for a 11:00 game)... They weren't wearing umpire slacks, they looked like some old dress slacks that were an old moldy green color, yet somehow matched... Their shirts were never tucked in, and the base umpire didn't even have a hat on (with a high sky and 90 degree heat + humidity)... The base ump made all out calls to the side, like a strike call, and I saw and heard no difference between a ball and strike other than that on one he would point his hand and on the other he wouldn't.

The zone was awful inconsistent too. Strikes would be called at the shins and then balls called at the knees on the next pitch... PU got in the wrong position a couple times for plays at the plate as well that caused him to miss the play.

Is it always this bad? I understand these are volunteers at the lowest level of playoffs, but this is still important baseball, and the kids are getting better umps in regular season games!

--Side Note--

Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers General Manager was at the game! He stood behind the backstop watching for most of it, but when I went to go say hi post game, he had disappeared! 0.o

They scout them that early?!?

[kylejt]

It really varies by location. I've seen hobos, like you've described. And I've also seen crews so polished you slice meat on the crease of their polywools. Then you've got the groups that are way over the top. You never know.

[Jocko]

Beggars can't be choosers. Maybe theyre the only available free umpires.

[Dannytheman]

Being late is a negative anytime and inexcusable.

I have seen some great umps who volunteer who will not wear the pants. They are great at the rules, they are great at the mechanics but they wear shorts. They tuck in their shirt and look good from the waist up, but shin guards on bare legs.

In school they tell you that looking the part is 50% of it. I don't agree 100% with this. I have seen perfectly dressed umpires with shines shoes suck. So I choose to judge the entire person and wait it out. But the guy you seemed to watch was obviously a poor dad volunteer.

It happens.

[Rich Ives]

Appearance doesn't matter once the game starts. You "umpire" well or you don't.

[Rich Ives]

I went to a LL Districts game to just watch good baseball today, and yikes... The umpires there weren't looking too great... They showed up 10 minutes past game time (at 11:10 for a 11:00 game)... They weren't wearing umpire slacks, they looked like some old dress slacks that were an old moldy green color, yet somehow matched... Their shirts were never tucked in, and the base umpire didn't even have a hat on (with a high sky and 90 degree heat + humidity)... The base ump made all out calls to the side, like a strike call, and I saw and heard no difference between a ball and strike other than that on one he would point his hand and on the other he wouldn't.

The zone was awful inconsistent too. Strikes would be called at the shins and then balls called at the knees on the next pitch... PU got in the wrong position a couple times for plays at the plate as well that caused him to miss the play.

Is it always this bad? I understand these are volunteers at the lowest level of playoffs, but this is still important baseball, and the kids are getting better umps in regular season games!

--Side Note--

Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers General Manager was at the game! He stood behind the backstop watching for most of it, but when I went to go say hi post game, he had disappeared! 0.o

They scout them that early?!?

Skill varies a lot in LL. Some are super excellent, some are onthe other side of the normal curve. But you shoudn't judge the total until you've seen a lot more games.

The GM probably had a relative on one of the teams. The pros don't start scouting that early. I'd bet some HS coaches do.

[mjr_2013]

I went to a LL Districts game to just watch good baseball today, and yikes... The umpires there weren't looking too great... They showed up 10 minutes past game time (at 11:10 for a 11:00 game)... They weren't wearing umpire slacks, they looked like some old dress slacks that were an old moldy green color, yet somehow matched... Their shirts were never tucked in, and the base umpire didn't even have a hat on (with a high sky and 90 degree heat + humidity)... The base ump made all out calls to the side, like a strike call, and I saw and heard no difference between a ball and strike other than that on one he would point his hand and on the other he wouldn't.

The zone was awful inconsistent too. Strikes would be called at the shins and then balls called at the knees on the next pitch... PU got in the wrong position a couple times for plays at the plate as well that caused him to miss the play.

Is it always this bad? I understand these are volunteers at the lowest level of playoffs, but this is still important baseball, and the kids are getting better umps in regular season games!

--Side Note--

Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers General Manager was at the game! He stood behind the backstop watching for most of it, but when I went to go say hi post game, he had disappeared! 0.o

They scout them that early?!?

Skill varies a lot in LL. Some are super excellent, some are onthe other side of the normal curve. But you shoudn't judge the total until you've seen a lot more games.

The GM probably had a relative on one of the teams. The pros don't start scouting that early. I'd bet some HS coaches do.

I agree that I've only seen one game by these men, so I don't know the whole situation... Maybe the guys who were supposed to work didn't show and these guys were called 15 minutes before game time. I shouldn't be judging so much without getting the whole picture.

And you are correct about Dombrowski... I asked around, and his grandson was playing for the Birmingham team.

[johnnyg08]

In school they tell you that looking the part is 50% of it. I don't agree 100% with this. I have seen perfectly dressed umpires with shines shoes suck. So I choose to judge the entire person and wait it out. But the guy you seemed to watch was obviously a poor dad volunteer.

Except you have a bigger hill to climb to build credibility when you show up looking like a clown.

[Dannytheman]

In school they tell you that looking the part is 50% of it. I don't agree 100% with this. I have seen perfectly dressed umpires with shines shoes suck. So I choose to judge the entire person and wait it out. But the guy you seemed to watch was obviously a poor dad volunteer.

Except you have a bigger hill to climb to build credibility when you show up looking like a clown.

Totally agree!!

[kylejt]

Appearance doesn't matter once the game starts. You "umpire" well or you don't.

I dunno. I always thought when I wore my plate coat it bought me two, maybe three innings before they figured out I didn't know what I was doing out there.

Nobody usually notices when you dress well (except for the coat), but they do when you don't.

[semper_fi_72]

It all comes down to the standards that the District and Leagues set and enforce.

[Rich Ives]

Appearance doesn't matter once the game starts. You "umpire" well or you don't.

I dunno. I always thought when I wore my plate coat it bought me two, maybe three innings before they figured out I didn't know what I was doing out there.

.

If it took that long you were either pretty good or the coaches were inexperienced.

[Jocko]

Plate coat = instant credibility

Until you prove otherwise

[Jocko]

Plate coat = instant credibility

Until you prove otherwise

[eric0531]

It all comes down to the standards that the District and Leagues set and enforce.

Exactly.

I worked an 11yo LL District game last night as part of a 4-man crew, and our instructions specified the color of our undershirts and to make sure our shoes were shined :-) Before the game the District rep told us he'd like to have one of us go out on all fly balls to the outfield (not just "trouble" balls as the 4-man 60' mechanics normally recommend) because he felt that made it look like there was actually a reason to have 4 guys out there, so as the 2B guy I got lots of exercise!

Our district is hosting state too, so I'm hoping I pick up a game there.

[Dannytheman]

It also may come down to no one showed up and District had to allow an unprepared but semi experienced coach/guy into the game, or not play the game.

I was standing at a District game watching one day, and was asked to step in. I was wearing jeans, sleeveless shirt and boat shoes. I was 40 minutes from home and I accepted since they had no other options. I had never worked with the plate guy, and we quickly went over ground rules, like in 30 seconds. I stepped into A position and first pitch was thrown. I might have looked like a dad from the stands, but I traded in my "look professional" demeanor for the better good of the game. We were done in 90 minutes and had a great view of the game.

[Jocko]

I thought that's how they picked all LL umps.... Eenie, meenie, minie, moe :fuel:

[RichMSN]

I worked 2 LL District Major tourney games tonight. When I work, I want the participants to think I'm the best damned LL umpire in the country.

Of course, there wasn't much time for them to make a judgment. My plate went 1:15 and my base game went 1:25. Working for free should always involve quick games. :)

[mjr_2013]

I worked 2 LL District Major tourney games tonight. When I work, I want the participants to think I'm the best damned LL umpire in the country.

Of course, there wasn't much time for them to make a judgment. My plate went 1:15 and my base game went 1:25. Working for free should always involve quick games.

Sorry, I'm pretty sure everyone already knows that I take that title!! You can be the best volunteer if you'd like, because with the s--- I deal with some days, there is no way I'm going to be a volunteer anytime soon. :no:

[Jocko]

I worked 2 LL District Major tourney games tonight. When I work, I want the participants to think I'm the best damned LL umpire in the country.

Of course, there wasn't much time for them to make a judgment. My plate went 1:15 and my base game went 1:25. Working for free should always involve quick games.

Sorry, I'm pretty sure everyone already knows that I take that title!! You can be the best volunteer if you'd like, because with the s--- I deal with some days, there is no way I'm going to be a volunteer anytime soon.

not long ago you were claiming the title of "worst umpire ever." Make up your mind! :-P

[mjr_2013]

I worked 2 LL District Major tourney games tonight. When I work, I want the participants to think I'm the best damned LL umpire in the country.

Of course, there wasn't much time for them to make a judgment. My plate went 1:15 and my base game went 1:25. Working for free should always involve quick games.

Sorry, I'm pretty sure everyone already knows that I take that title!! You can be the best volunteer if you'd like, because with the s--- I deal with some days, there is no way I'm going to be a volunteer anytime soon.

not long ago you were claiming the title of "worst umpire ever." Make up your mind! :-P

That was before I started doing tournaments of course! I did 12 plates in 3 days! I'm IronUmp now!!

--EDIT--

When did I say that? I'm trying to remember, and I think I'm losing my memory at the age of 17. :wow:

[Jocko]

Sorry it misquoted. I meant that for Rolo.

[JaxRolo]

No. We drew straws and I won the worst umpire ever. Scott wants to take the title from me.

Sorry Scott. Just kidding.

[SoCal Lurker]

I worked 2 LL District Major tourney games tonight. When I work, I want the participants to think I'm the best damned LL umpire in the country.

Of course, there wasn't much time for them to make a judgment. My plate went 1:15 and my base game went 1:25. Working for free should always involve quick games.

Sorry, I'm pretty sure everyone already knows that I take that title!! You can be the best volunteer if you'd like, because with the s--- I deal with some days, there is no way I'm going to be a volunteer anytime soon.

not long ago you were claiming the title of "worst umpire ever." Make up your mind! :-P

Not sure where you find a contradiction, Trout, since you say LL isn't baseball . . .